“One thing that is starkly missing with a vast majority of us is that we do not have goals or a direction in life. Simply saying, ‘I want to be a millionaire or earn lots of money’ is not a goal.  Today, the majority of parents have broken the goal of life to ‘good education’ leading to a good job leading to a ‘good’ life. This is not a goal.  Most people do not have contentment and hence live like moving corpses.We say there are four goals, all of which we aspire to at sometime or the other: Artha, Kama, Dhama, Moksha…

ARTHA

KAMA

DHAMA

MOKSHA.

ARTHA… This refers to all activities which provide security for ourselves. First, in terms of food then a shelter and all other things that make us feel secure. This is a major part of living – we want to secure ourselves from heat, from cold from old age health and a whole range of things including death. List out the items and see the list. It’s a very large one.  Let’s say you buy a large home with a swimming pool gymnasium and the works. You need to secure it. If you are a rich man, you cannot travel without armed guards and a convoy. This is one aspect of our life and goals.  Not to forget life insurance, medical insurance and so on.  As if you can stop death…!

KAMA .. This refers to all kind of enjoyment – from TV serials to exotic holidays, cruises, flights, exotic foods and eating out.  Not to forget sex.  Then we may be exploring drugs, booze…  Today our economies are designed to give you as much pleasure as possible so we feel fulfilled. It is the design of modern life. Otherwise, what is life anyway? All games are corporatised and the players are like gladiators of the Roman era.  So you may be entertained too with films. You make your list. Sounds like the American dream…..

DHARMA…. Now this is a slightly different key.. People want to live a Dharmic life based on values like truthfulness, non violence,non-stealing, etc. We call them Sanathana, meaning eternal values that make societies run smoothly. If individuals do not follow this, there will be a breakdown of society itself.  Deep down, we need to give to the underprivileged. We need to show compassion and love as they are interconnected with us.  This allows us to grow as individuals into a spiritual life.  This makes us human. These people aspire for heaven.

MOKSHA…..After many lives and many experiences of pain in samsara, some aspire for freedom from dependencies and want to explore their true potential as a human being. How can this pain and insecurity be managed?  How can I get over this fear of death, which eats into me?  How can I get out of this trap where I am forced to behave in a particular way – aspiring for happiness but experiencing pain? There is something deep within us which is asking these questions. For some, this becomes the goal. 

Western and Eastern societies. In the western societies the focus is on Artha and Kama goals. We are seeing the effect of that in psychological break-up, not just of individuals but societies.  The Eastern way of life does not negate Artha And Kama, but used to focus on Dharma and MOKSHA and then place Artha and Kama as lesser priorities.  The west used to call these people non-competitive societies. 

The first thing to understand is to put Dharma and MOKSHA as goals above Artha and Kama. No school or college teaches this.  Mothers and parents are misguided as well and place the wrong priority of goals for the children.

Now can you rectify this?  Is your life going to be better?  This you need to reflect upon deeply.  A person who has grown with strength of character will not fail in other pursuits. But life may be more livable. Now do re-write your goals!”